Parthenon

Parthenon. The C5 bc Greek Temple of Athena Parthenos on the Acropolis in Athens, widely regarded as the most refined building featuring Greek Hellenic Doric architecture, and the model for much Greek Revival work, despite the fact that many details, e.g. the relationships of columns to soffits, are less than satisfactory). The Parthenon had a peristyle surrounding the naos and Virgin's chamber, with seventeen columns on the flanks and eight at each pedimented end. The metopes contained exquisite sculptures, as did the pediments (much is now in the British Museum, London), while subtle optical refinements such as entasis and curved stylobates further contributed to its stature as a canonic work. Within the Virgin Goddess's chamber were four elegant Ionic columns, so in some respects it was a synthesis of Doric and Ionic architecture.

Bibliography

M. Beard (2002);
Chrisp (1997);
Dinsmoor (1950);
Korres (2000)